Pain is one of the ways we learn: what to avoid, when to know something is wrong, and the likes. It makes sense then, that when test and tribulations come against our faith, the most they do by God’s Grace, is to shake us a bit, but leave our faith standing taller, and with deeper roots, ready for what’s next.
James 1:2-4 Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials. Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace]. And let endurance have its perfect result and do a thorough work, so that you may be perfect and completely developed [in your faith], lacking in nothing.
But sometimes, I feel like people have overly “romanticised” building faith through test and tribulations, to the detriment of learning to build our faith through other “positive” happenings.
Hebrews 4:2 For indeed we have had the good news [of salvation] preached to us, just as the Israelites also [when the good news of the promised land came to them]; but the message they heard did not benefit them, because it was not united with faith [in God] by those who heard.
The people of Israel were very interesting. Throughout the process of the journey from Egypt, all they received from God was His undiluted goodness and mercies. Yet, these acts of God did not build anything tangible in their hearts because they failed to bring faith into the matter. Anytime they came into a fresh challenge before them (as we are wont to do in our Christian journey), they almost always failed to trust God because they had not allowed the positive experiences they had had with God, build their faith and trust with God.
God is not a sadist. He would not allow His children to be bombarded by trials and tribulations 100% of the time just because He wants them to grow up. God’s goodness and Grace is always there for us, helping and supporting us. Just that it’s more apparent in some situations than in other situations.
God expects that each experience of apparent goodness that comes our way forms part of the Faith structure that sustains us in difficult times. Such that when we have negative experiences, we can look back at the Grace of God, and see how far He has brought us, and all the times He came through for us.
Everything happens for a reason, both the “GOOD” and bad. Allow every experience to build your faith in God.
In plain sight 